WP 4 COUNTRY REPORT FINLAND. Teemu Turunen Anneli Miettinen Ismo Söderling. (Population Related Policies and General Attitudes)

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1 WP 4 COUNTRY REPORT FINLAND Teemu Turunen Anneli Miettinen Ismo Söderling (Population Related Policies and General Attitudes) The data presented in this report are based on the PPA2 (Population Policy Acceptance Survey) results conducted in the country. The report describes the population trends and social as well as population policy systems of the country from 1990 to the time of the latest PPA survey. Project related links:

2 1 DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS IN FINLAND A POPULATION... 2 B HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY STRUCTURE... 2 C FAMILY FORMATION... 5 D MIGRATION... 5 E EMPLOYMENT... 6 F SOCIAL EQUALITY AND GENDER ROLES... 7 G SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA SOCIAL AND POPULATION POLICY SYSTEMS IN YOUR COUNTRY Population Policy Family-related social policy system in Marriage- and parenthood-related policies: financial support and leave arrangements for families with Child upbringing: child care and education Work-Related Social Policy System in Unemployment benefits: type of program Additional social security transfers besides work-related social security Atypical Work in your country Social Policy System Related to Gender Roles in Women and working life Role of men Social Policy System Related to Aging in Old-age pension system Long-term care Policies supporting families participating in long-term care Policies supporting elderly people still living at home Active-Aging Programs Migration-Related Social Policy System in Immigration Act in your country: basic principles of the policy (residence permit, others) Policies decreasing and/or increasing emigration Existence of Act on integration of immigrants in your country Social security and immigrants in your country: entitlement to social security INTERPLAY BETWEEN DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS AND SOCIETY IN YOUR COUNTRY MASS MEDIA PUBLICITY IN FINLAND AROUND PPA2-SURVEY RESULTS CI CI 2 (QUESTION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN PPA2 SURVEY IN FINLAND) CI 6 (QUESTION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN PPA2 SURVEY IN FINLAND) CI CI A 1 (QUESTION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN PPA2 SURVEY IN FINLAND) M SOURCES USED FOR COMPILATION OF FINNISH COUNTRY REPORT... 36

3 1 1 Demographic trends in FINLAND (Available international sources are indicated after the required data in small letters, please check Appendix 1.) Introductory comments on demographic trends: Major trends and changes in population growth, natality, mortality, migration and family structure in your country Finland s population was by the end of year During 1990s population of Finland has been growing steadily, but slowly. The gradual decrease and stabilazation of natality and the continuous rise of life expectancy in Finland have contributed to the aging of the Finnish population. Share of people aged 65 years and more in Finland has been growing steadily. Life expectancy during the period ( ) show a continuous rise of life expectancy at birth for both sexes, but the gap between the sexes in life expectancies at birth still prevails. In 1990 life expectancy at birth for men was 70,9 years, being 74,6 years in For women the equivalent figures were 78.9 years (1990) and 81.5 years (2001). As the proportion of elderly people ( 65 years) in the Finnish population grows, the difference between births and deaths begins to shrink and in the future a larger share of population increase in Finland is expected to be based on positive net immigration figures. In ,2 % of population increase in Finland was based on positive net immigration. The number of immigrants in Finland has quadrupled since the beginning of the 1990s. The growth has been the fastest in Western Europe: in the beginning of the 1990s there were still only about immigrants in Finland, but by the beginning of 2003 the figure had increased to persons (measured by foreign citizens), which is 2,0 % of the total population in Finland. Aging of the population is also reflected in the labour market: Finland is advancing relentlessly towards diminishing working age population. This is, among other things, linked to the large age groups (those born in ) in Finland entering retirement at the same time. The share of people living in a family has declined throughout 1990s, from 82,1 % in 1990 to 77,9 % in The average size of family has also diminished slowly but steadily: 3,00 in 1990, 2,96 in 1995 and 2,87 in 2001 and the proportion of families with of all families has declined. However, from 1990 to 2001 average number of (below 18 years) in a family with has increased, due to that the proportion of families with three or four of all families with has been increasing gradually. Although the nuclear family (married parents living with ) is still the most common family type, other family forms have become more and more common along with increasing cohabitation and single-parenthood. 85 percent of singleparent families are mother-and-child(ren) families. In Finland, total divorce rate is the second highest in Europe and increasing number of disrupting unions contributes to the increase of single parent families. Total fertility rate (TFR) in Finland has ranged from 1,70 to 1,85 in Rate increased from 1,78 in 1990 to 1,85 in 1992 but after that decreased quite systematically annually to 1,70 in 1998 but after that the move has been upwards, being 1,73 in 2002.

4 2 A Population Indicators Years A1 Population on 1 st January (absolute figures) a, b A2 Increase of population (per of mean population) a, b A3 Old-age dependency ratio (65+ of 15-64, %) a A4 Young-age dependency ratio (0-14 of 15-64, %) a A5 Proportion of population of foreign citizenship (% of total population) a A6 Percentage (%) of people 65 years and over of the total population a A7 Percentage (%) of people 80 years and over of the total population b A8 Life Expectancy at Birth by sex b M F M F M F B Household and Family Structure Households Years B1 One-person households, % by age-groups Note: here we refer to population living in private households (household-dwelling unit), e.g. proportion of persons living in one-person hh. of all persons in age group (see f.e. Eurostat Yearbook 2003, statistics and Glossary)

5 3 Households B2 arrangements of women and men by age-groups (% of all households of women/men in age group) Age-group Type of living arrangement Years W M W M W M Married couple, no (any age) Married couple, (any age) Cohabiting couple, no (any age) Cohabiting couple, (any age) Single parent, (any age) Single, no (any age) Single, living with his/her parents Other %, N (thousands) 100 N= N= N= N= N= N=325.6 Married couple, no (any age) Married couple, (any age) Cohabiting couple, no (any age) Cohabiting couple, (any age) Single parent, (any age) Single, no (any age) Single, living with his/her parents Other %, N (thousands) 100 N= N= N= N= N=521.2 Note1: here we refer to individual data, e.g. population (in a certain age group) by living arrangement. Note2: Category Other is not used here. See Appendix 2, Additional notes. In Family Status statistics, persons are classified according to their family status, and persons who are classified as without any family status are here included in the category Single, no (even when there may be other persons present in the household). 100 N=533.8

6 4 Families Years B3 Families of women by family type, age-groups and number of under age 18 (% of all families of women) Age-group Family type Married couple, Cohabiting couple, Single parent, %, N (thousands) Married couple, Cohabiting couple, Single parent, %, N (thousands) 100 N= N= N= N= N= N=369.8 Note: This table includes only families with of women ( below 18 yrs of age), single-parent families consisting of the father and child(ren) are excluded. See Additional notes at the end of this manual.

7 5 C Family Formation Years C1 Total fertility rate a Cohorts C2 Completed fertility rate (cohorts 1935, 1965) a C3 % of ever married women (cohorts 1935, 1965) a C4 Childlessness (%) by female birth cohorts (1935,1965) a Years C5 Mean age of women at first birth a M F M F M F C6 Mean age at first marriage by sex b C7 Total first marriage rate (period) a C8 Total divorce rate a C9 Live births out of wedlock a D Migration Years D1 Net migration (absolute figures) b D2 Net migration rate (per 1,000 persons of mean population) D3 Total immigration (absolute figures) D4 Immigration rate (per 1,000 persons of mean population) D5 Total Emigration (absolute figures) D6 Emigration rate (per 1,000 persons of mean population)

8 6 E Employment E1 Labour force participation rate by sex and age-groups (%) Note: Labour force participation = people in the labour market, i.e. employed and unemployed people, as a percentage of the population of the same age (see Eurostat Yearbook 2003) E2 Employment rate by sex and age-groups (%) Note: Employment rate = persons in employment as a percentage of the population of the same age (see Eurostat Yearbook 2003) E3 Unemployment rate by sex and age-groups (%) Note: Unemployment rate = unemployed persons as a percentage of people in the labour force (see Eurostat Yearbook 2003) Years M F M F M F E4 Long-term unemployment rates c (long term unemployed as a proportion of long-term ue persons of total labour force) 2.5 (1991) E5 Long-term unemployment rates (females, 20-39) E6 Long-term unemployment rates (males, 20-39) E7 Part-time employment rates (part time employed persons as a proportion of all persons in all employed persons) E8 Part-time employment rates (females, 20-39) E9 Part-time employment rates (males, 20-39)

9 7 F Social Equality and Gender Roles Years F1 % of women in national parliament 38.5 (1991) (2003) F2 Income distribution ratio 1 b (1994) 3.4 (1999) F3 Gender pay gap (Gross monthly wages of women as % of men) b F4 -income households (%) (2001) Day nursery (age-group 1-3) FINLAND, aged 0-2, (2001) in 2001 ages 1-2 F5 Proportion of Kindergarten (age-4 up to compulsory school in (%) (2001) age) FINLAND, ages 3-6 Full time school (compulsory school, school age: starting at age 7, ending at age 16) (99) (99) (99) Full time school (after compulsory school up to age of 20) FINLAND, ages 16 to G Socio-Economic Data Years Exit from the labour force G1 Average exit age from the labour force total b (1996) 57.6 G2 Average exit age from the labour force females b (1996) 58.1 G3 Average exit age from the labour force males b (1996) 57.1 Social transfers G4 All social expenditure of GDP (%) b (2001) G5 Structure of social expenditure (% of all social expenditures ) b -Old age and survivors (2001) -Sickness, health and disability (2001) -Family and (2001) -Unemployment (2001) -Housing (2001) -Other social protection (2001) -Administration (2001) G6 Social expenditure by source of finance (%) -State Municipalities Employers Insured Property income The share of entire national income received by the top 20% of the population to that of the bottom 20% (Source: a) 2 Percentage of the population with an income less than 60 % of the national median.

10 8 2 Social and Population Policy Systems in your Country (Please check Appendix 1 for international data sources; apart from the texts on the development of policies the year of reference should always be the year of fieldwork) 2.1 Population Policy Background and basic objectives, comments on population policies : major changes etc. There is no explicit population policy in Finland at the moment. Government pays a lot of attention to family policy. Pension policy is also under discussion and Government aim is to increase the average retirement age in Finland. Is there an explicit population policy in your There is no explicit population policy in Finland at the moment. country? Governmental view on population growth d - Governmental policy/policies on population growth d Governmental view on fertility level d Governmental policy/policies on fertility d To increase immigration. Satisfactory. No explicit policies, focus: welfare of the families and to strengthen the Nordic welfare model. 2.2 Family-related social policy system in Background and basic objectives, trends and major changes Current family policy measures are relatively generous and wide-ranging in Finland. Society compensates the costs born by families with in the form of family leaves, related financial benefits and with other direct financial support and services for families with. Majority of the family policy measures were implemented already during 1970s and 1980s, and gradual and minor changes in the social security system characterize the period after the end of the 1980s. In the 1990s, the focus has mainly been on the development of forms of reconciliation of family- and working life (for example development of child care options), not on increasing the direct financial support for families with. Majority of the social security and family policy benefits are universal, e.g. every citizen is entitled to a benefit. However, the income compensation level of a number of allowances is often earnings-related and the level of the minimum benefits is in most cases relatively low. Finnish family policy aims to provide a secure growing environment for and to ensure that parents have the material and psychological possibilities for giving birth and rearing. Family policy also aims to give parents equal opportunities to take part in raising and caring for their. Family policy measures promote labour force participation of women with small. During 1990s, the deep recession period in Finland did not markedly affect the social security system itself, with the exception of reductions, or freezing of compensation level of some benefits, although the number of recipients of, for example, basic unemployment benefit grew visibly. However, the recession period affected the material situation of families with in many respects. The majority of families were able to cope well enough, but the numbers of young people, and families with who did

11 9 not (cope well) and who were in danger of exclusion grew Marriage- and parenthoodrelated policies: financial support and leave arrangements for families with Total amount of expenditures for family cash benefits (in % of GDP) 3 e Total amount of expenditures for family services (in % of GDP) 4 e Maternity grant f, g Coverage Source of funds Qualifying conditions Amount Maternity leave and maternity allowance f, g Maternity leave: Coverage and duration Maternity allowance: Source of funds Qualifying conditions Amount There are no explicit marriage-related policies (policies related to contracting a marriage) in Finland at the moment. The latest explicit policy of that kind was abolished in 1976 when Finland changed over from familybased taxation to mainly individual taxation % Child allowance is most important (in terms of total expenditure) of the parenthood related policies/benefits in Finland: total expenditure in child allowances was 1370 million euros in In maternity, paternity and parenthood allowances, 520 million euros, and in child care subsidies 370 million euros % Public day care is the most important family service (in terms of total expenditure): 1250 million euros in Every expectant mother, resident in Finland, is entitled to maternity grant. Government: Total cost. Expectant mother whose pregnancy has lasted for at least 154 days are entitled to a maternity grant. Mothers can choose between a maternity package containing child care items and a cash benefit of 140 euros. Compensation for the costs arising from pregnancy, child birth and medical care is also available, though not for hospital charges. Entitlement to allowance to every mother since t1960s (in the beginning, period only 2 months), during 1970s gradual increases in the duration of the leave/allowance period. Entitlement to every employed mother resident in Finland including adoptive parents. Maternity leave starts normally 30 week days before expected birth and it lasts 105 week days (the child is appr. 4.5 months old). After the leave, mother is entitled by law to return to her previous job or to a comparable position % of mothers take the maternity leave. The person on maternity leave is paid a daily allowance as provided under the Sickness Insurance Act. Insured person: 1.5% of earnings. Pensioners contribute 1.9% of earnings. Employer: 1.60% of payroll (private employers) or 1.60% to 2.85% of payroll (public employers).government: Remaining cost. Mothers resident in Finland qualify for the maternity allowance from the 154th day of pregnancy. The mother must have been insured under the National Health Insurance for at least 180 days immediately before the date on which the baby is due. Entitlement to maternity allowance begins workdays before the due date. Amount of maternity allowance is tied to earnings. If annual earnings are 25,515 or less: 70% of daily earnings. If annual earnings are between 25,516 and 39,256: 40% of daily earnings. If annual 3 Source used in the Finnish WP4 Report: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Available from: 4 Source used in the Finnish WP4 Report: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Available from:

12 10 Paternity (fathers) leave and paternity allowance Paternity leave: Coverage and duration Paternity allowance: Source of funds Qualifying conditions Amount Parental leave and parental allowance Parental leave: earnings are 39,256 or more: 25% of daily earnings. Maternity allowance is taxable income. Irrespective of employment status every mother is entitled to minimum maternity allowance which is euros per weekday (appr. 285 e/month). Paternity Leave was implemented in Every father living in Finland who takes a leave from work to participate in child care are entitled to a total of up to 18 weekdays leave in up to 4 segments during the maternity or mother's parental allowance period. The father has to live with the mother. Since 2003 the paternity leave can be extended by 1-12 weekdays if the father takes the last 12 weekdays of the parental leave. The extension must be taken in a single period immediately following the parental leave. After the leave, father is entitled by law to return to his previous job or to a comparable position % of fathers take paternity leave. The person on paternity leave is paid a daily allowance as provided under the Sickness Insurance Act. Government: Total cost. See Paternity leave: coverage and duration. As in the case of maternity allowance (ie. allowance is calculated on the basis of earnings.) Irrespective of employment status every father is entitled to minimum paternity allowance which is euros per weekday (appr. 285 e/month). Paternity allowance is taxable income. Parental leave was implemented in 1985 (maternity leave was then divided into two parts, first part which is entitled only to the mother, second part which can be divided between partners as they wish). Coverage and duration Every employed mother and/or father resident in Finland with one or more including adoptive parents. Entitlement to the parental leave and allowance begins immediately after payment of the maternity allowance ends. Parental leave lasts 158 week days and it is to be extended by 60 week days for each additional child in a multiple birth (the child is appr months old when parental leave period ends). Since 2003, parental leave can be full-time parental leave or partial parental leave % of mothers take parental leave, and only 2-5 % of fathers take parental leave, typically only for 1-2 months. The person on parental leave is paid a daily allowance as provided under the Parental allowance: Sickness Insurance Act. Source of funds Insured person: 1.5% of earnings. Pensioners contribute 1.9% of earnings.. Employer: 1.60% of payroll (private employers) or 1.60% to 2.85% of payroll (public employers). Government: Remaining cost. Qualifying conditions Entitlement to a parental allowance begins immediately after payment of the maternity allowance ends. Parental allowance is normally paid for 158 weekdays. Amount As in the case of maternity and paternity allowance. Partial parental allowance is half the regular allowance and is calculated separately for each parent. However, irrespective of employment status every person on parental leave is entitled to minimum parental allowance which is euros per week day (appr. 285 e/month). Parental allowance is taxable income. Child allowance 5 f, g Child allowance was implemented in The term child allowance is synonymous with the terms child benefit or family allowance.

13 11 Coverage Source of funds Qualifying conditions Amount Child care leave, extended parental leave schemes f, g Coverage and duration Available subsidies Source of funds Qualifying conditions Amount All residents with one or more. Government: Total cost. Paid for each under 17-year old child in family who are living in Finland. Same-sex partners who have registered their partnership are considered equivalent to a married couple. Child allowance is paid monthly to the mother if not otherwise specified. Child allowance is free from tax and not liable to garnishment. 1 st child: 90 euros 2 nd child: euros 3 rd child: euros 4 th child: euros 5 th + child: euros Single parents get a supplement of euros for each child. Act of child home care was introduced in 1985, and became fully effective in Finland in 1 st January Full-Time Child Care Leave: After parental allowance period, either mother or father with a child below three years of age can take a full-time child care leave with full employment security to look after the child at home, though both parents cannot be on full-time child care leave at the same time. Employers are not required to compensate employees who are on child care leave. After the leave, employees are entitled to return to their previous job or a comparable position. Appr. 60 % of families take child care leave, in most cases it is the mother who stays at home to take care of the child (2 % of fathers have used child care leave). Many families take the leave until the child is appr years old and then return to employment. Part-Time Child Care Leave: Parents can choose to take a part-time child care leave i.e. to reduce their working time until the end of the year in which their child starts school. This reduction is financially compensated only for the parents with child under 3 years of age. The minimum length of the parttime child care leave is six months. Partial child care leave has not been very popular. Appr percent of mothers have reduced their weekly working time for child care. Temporary Child Care Leave: Entitlement to every employed mother and/or father with one or more below 10 years of age. Unpaid temporary child care leave for a maximum of four days can be taken by one of the parents at a time in order to care for a sick child under age 10. Many branches offer paid leave, but employers are not required to compensate for the leave. If parents and the employer agree, the employer can hire a private minder to take care of the sick child of the employee and pay the costs for a maximum of four days. Full Child Homecare Allowance and Partial care allowance Full Child Homecare Allowance and Partial care allowance: Government: Total cost Municipalities: Additional benefits to child home care allowance. Entitlement after parental allowance period. Child must be under age 3 and not in the municipal day care. One of the parents must care for the child at home, but the allowance is not tied to employment (or non-employment) of either of the parents. Partial care allowance is available to employed parents of a child under 3 years of age who work up to 30 hours per week while looking after their child. Temporary child care leave to take care of a sick under 10-year-old child. Full child homecare allowance is EUR a month. If the family includes more than one child below 3 yrs of age, an additional payment EUR is made, and EUR if the siblings are under school age. Supplement is paid for low-income families. The supplement is only paid

14 12 for one child, and is EUR a month, depending on taxable income. Child home care allowance is taxable income. Some municipalities give an extra allowance in addition to child home care allowance. The amount of this extra benefit varies by municipality. Housing support for families with Coverage Source of funds Qualifying conditions Amount Family-related taxation f, g Child upbringing: child care and education Child care system: background Child care system at present Partial care allowance amounts to EUR 63.07/month and paid to a mother/father who works for a maximum of 30 hours/week. Partial care allowance is taxable income. The purpose of housing support is to help families acquire accommodation of adequate size at a reasonable price and to ensure reasonable housing standards. Forms of housing support available to families with are general housing allowance, government-subsidized housing loans and other interest subsidy and tax relief for housing loans. General housing allowance is a way of using government funds to even out the housing costs of families and individuals in low income brackets by paying a part of their reasonable housing expenses. Government: Total cost The amount of housing allowance depends on the size of the family, its income, housing expenses and the size and age of the dwelling. In most cases families entitled to general housing allowance live in rental apartments, although housing allowance can be received for self-owned apartments/houses. The allowance covers 80% of reasonable housing costs exceeding a deductible, the rates of which the Government sets annually. In 1976 family taxation system was abolished and taxation was based on individual taxation (except child deductions). In 1994, tax deductions for minor were removed altogether in Finland except the deduction for maintenance liability. The Child Day Care Act came into force in Finland in It guaranteed the subjective right to day care for all needing care. However, municipalities could not offer enough day care places for all /families needing care. In 1984 a revised legislation was passed to make available both increased institutional day care provision and possibility to choose home care. It was initiated to promote an alternative way of taking care of small under three years of age at home in a situation where the demand for public day-care services exceeded supply. Since 1990 all Finnish parents have then had unconditional entitlement to day care for their under the age of three either in a day care place provided by the municipality or by receiving child home care allowance if they care for their child at home. In 1996, the subjective right to day care was extended to all below school age. There are several child care arrangements in Finland at present that help the parents with under school-aged to reconcile family- and working life. Parents in Finland can choose to place their child in a day care centre run by the municipality or in municipal family day care. Municipal day care fees are income related and the maximum fee for the first child is 200 EUR/month, for the second child 180 EUR/month, and 40 EUR/month for every subsequent child. Day care places offer full day care and provide meals. Finnish parents can also choose a private day care allowance for under school aged child and make their own arrangements for child care. Private day care allowance is paid for the private carer. Parents are also provided with the possibility to look after their under 3-year old child while receiving child home care allowance, see Child Homecare Allowance above. In 2002: 32 % of under school age were in municipal day care place, 37 % of them in home care (parent on parental leave/child home care leave), 16 % in municipal family day care, 4 % in private day care, and 11 % in other form of care.

15 13 Pre-school education Compulsory education Any other financial support and leave arrangements for families with Under school-aged in Finland have subjective right for pre-school education. Pre-school education in Finland is mainly intended for 6-year olds. Pre-school education can be arranged by local social welfare or education authorities. As of the 1st of August 2001, local authorities have been obliged to arrange pre-school education free of charge. However, many local authorities have provided pre-school education at schools or day-care centres even before that date. Start of compulsory school in Finland is at the age of 7. Schooling is free. School meals are also free and transport to school is up to a certain degree free. School hours during the first grades: from 8.00 to 12.00/14.00, 4-5 hours/day. Afternoon care of small school-age is being organized in Finland but the demand still exceeds the supply. Next year (2004) municipalities are recommended (but not obliged) to arrange afternoon care for pupils in the first and second class for three (3) hours a day. No

16 Work-Related Social Policy System in Background and basic objectives, trends, major changes and comments ( ) Unemployment benefits: type of program f, g Additional social security transfers besides work-related social security f, g (e.g. basic income support, others) Source of funds Atypical Work 6 in your country Policies towards atypical work in Finland During the recession period in the beginning of the 1990s, unemployment rose to a very high numbers, and since that the unemployment level in Finland has exceed that of EU average. Atypical employment (temporary contracts, part-time working) is on the rise in Finland and is one reason for increasing out-migration from Finland. On 1 st January 1994 unemployment security system was rearranged (basically tightened) in Finland and for example labor market benefit was launched. There is a dual system for unemployment benefits in Finland: 1) a general scheme for basic unemployment benefit and b) a voluntary program for earnings-related unemployment benefit administered by the unemployment funds. Earnings-related ue-benefit provide markedly better income than basic ue-benefit. If not entitled to either of these, unemployed person can get labour market subsidy from Social Insurance Institution. Unemployment benefits are payable for up to 500 days. Unemployment benefits are taxable income. Income support (social assistance) is the financial assistance that is provided by social welfare in Finland as the last resort in order to secure the person s or the family s living and to promote coping independently. A person is entitled to income support when he or she is unable to make a living through paid work or other, so-called primary means of income security (ue-benefit, study grants, other). To help low-income households with their housing costs Social Insurance Institution of Finland pays a general housing allowance. In ,3 inhabitants per 100 inhabitants in Finland received social assistance, the same figure was 11,4 in 1995 and 8,5 in Municipality: Total cost Compared to other European countries, proportion of Finnish parttime working women is fairly low, but proportion of them has been rising throughout 1990s. In ,1 % of all employed women were part-time employed but since that this share has been steadily increasing, being 17,2 % in The proportion of Finnish men working part-time is considerably lower compared to Finnish women, but this figure has however been rising in 1990s. In ,4 % of all the employed men were part-time employed in Finland, in ,8 %. In % of all wage/salary earner men and 11 % of all wage/salary earner women were short-term employed (here < 12 months), in 1997 the same figure was 16 % for both sexes. Shortterm employment is most common among the youngest age groups, but for year old women the growth has been the most strongest in the 1990s, and the proportion of short-term employed for this group has doubled from 1990 to Here by atypical work we mean working part-time and being employed for short-term (< 12 months).

17 Social Policy System Related to Gender Roles in Background and basic objectives, trends, major changes and comments on gender-roles related social policy system ( ) Existence of equality act/legislation in your country? Women and working life Promotion of gender equality is the responsibility of the entire Government in office at present, and it will draw up an action programme for realizing such equality. One of the aims is to mainstream gender equality throughout the public administration. Act on Equality Between Women and Men was launched in Finland 8 th August The aim of the Equality Act is to prevent discrimination on the basis of sex and to promote equality between women and men, and, for this purpose, to improve the status of women, particularly in working life. This Act demands, for example, an even distribution of male and female members in state and municipal bodies. No Existence of legislation/programs promoting women s status in working life h Existence of programs promoting women s labour force participation h Existence of programs/legislation promoting equal pay for both sexes h Family policy schemes, especially those concerning family leave and day care arrangements can be seen as a mean to promote women s labour force participation. No Existence of legislation and/or programs promoting reconciliation of work- and family life h Role of men Existence of programs promoting men participating in child care Promotion of reconciliation of work and family life is included in Act on Equality Between Women and Men in Finland. Ministry of Social Affairs and Health promotes paternity and parental leave for men in purpose of increasing the number of fathers using them.

18 Social Policy System Related to Aging in Background and basic objectives, trends, major changes and comments on aging-related social policy system Pension system: There are two statutory pension systems in Finland that supplement each other: a) national pension (since 1956), and b) employment pension (since 1961). Employment pensions are earned by wage work and by entrepreneurship. National pension guarantees minimum livelihood of retired person in Finland. The amount of national pension depends on the amount received from employment pension scheme (negatively tied). If the amount of the employment pension(s) is small, national pension supplements employment pension(s). Both systems, national pension system and employment pension system, include a wide range of retirement benefits for specific contingencies: old-age / early old-age pension; disability pension / rehabilitation subsidy; individual early retirement pension; unemployment pension. In addition, employment pension system has provisions for partial disability and part-time pensions. Survivor pensions are excluded here. In 2002, average exit age from the labour force was for females 58,1 years and 57,1 years for males in Finland Old-age pension system Aging perceived as a problem in your country? d Old-age pension system f, g Type of program Coverage 7 Source of funds Care and services for the elderly people: The aim of Finnish policy on ageing is that as many of the elderly people as possible should be able to live independent lives in their own homes, and in a familiar social and living environment. at home is supported with rapid-access professional social welfare and health care services. There exist also policies that support families participating in elderly care. Residential services and different forms of institutional care are provided to people who can no longer manage to live at home. The ageing of the population has received much attention in Finland recently, due to retirement of so called large age groups. While the age structure of the whole population is still relatively balanced, there are large differences between regions in Finland, and a number of municipalities have already a visibly older population than rest of the country. In 2001, The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and Finnish Association for Municipalities introduced a recommendation for the municipalities for the quality of the care and services of the elderly. a) national pension program and b) employment pension program Universal (national) pensions (income-tested): All Finnish citizens residing in Finland after age 16 for at least 3 years as well as citizens of other countries residing in Finland for 5 years or more are entitled to national pension. National pension is intended to secure the basic livelihood of pensioners whose other pension income is small or non-existent. National Pension Insurance includes, in addition to the national old-age, disability and unemployment pensions, the pensioners' housing and care allowances and the regular and additional frontveterans' supplements. Employment pensions: All regular employees aged 14 or older. No lower limit of earnings or duration. Special systems for seasonal, part-time, maritime, and public employees; farmers; and the self-employed. National pensions: Employer: 48% of national old age pension Government: 52% of national old age pension Employment pensions: Insured persons: 22% 7 Including also those with no employment history in their lives

19 17 Qualifying conditions Employer: 73% Government: 5% National pensions: * Old-age pension: for 65-year-olds. Retirement is not necessary. The pension is not payable abroad after 1 year, unless the person was a resident of Finland for at least 10 years before receiving the pension or is abroad for medical reasons. * Early old-age pension: Aged 60 to 64. The pension is reduced. * Disability pension / rehabilitation subsidy (16-64-year-olds) * Individual early retirement pension (60-64-year olds) * Unemployment pension (60-64-year olds). Determining factors Non-contributory periods credited or taken into consideration Minimum pension Maximum pension Employment pensions: * Old-age pension: Aged 65 or older and retirement from employment covered under statutory employment pension insurance. For a full pension, 40 years' coverage is necessary. * Early old-age pension: Aged 60 to 64. The pension is reduced. * Part-time pension: Aged 56 (58 as of January 1, 2003) to 64 years. A reduced work schedule (16 hours to 28 hours per week and earning between 35% and 70% of full-time earnings), employed full-time for 12 months of the past 18 months, and covered during at least 5 out of the preceding 15 years. * Unemployment pension: Payable at age 60 after having exhausted unemployment benefit for the maximum duration of 500 days and being covered by the scheme for at least 5 out of the last 15 years. * Individual early retirement pension (60-64-year olds) * Disability pension / rehabilitation subsidy (16-64-year-olds) * Partial disability pension (for person on part-time pension getting disabled for work) National pensions: duration of residence in Finland, marital status, municipality of present residence and amount of other pensions. Employment pensions: Length of time insured and level of earned income Basically none. However, if leave from work due to e.g. maternity, military service etc. is less than one year, this year is credited in most pension schemes (not LEL, TaEL). Disability pension periods are fully credited. No minimum pension. National pension guarantees in practice a minimum pension to those with 40 years of residence in Finland and with a small pension or with no other pension. Employment pension: The total maximum pension is 60% of the highest pensionable salary. The pensions of the two schemes are integrated, the maximum being 60 % of the pensionable salary. Early pension: The pension is permanently reduced by 0.5% per month the pension is taken early. Deferment: The amount of pension is increased by 1% per month beyond the age of (see above Qualifying conditions) Legal retirement age (standard pension) Legal retirement age (early pension) (see above Qualifying conditions) Policies promoting Aging Workers ( 55 years) participation in the labour market From the point of view of Ministry of Labour in Finland it is essential to raise the employment rate in Finland, including also the employment rate of older people (55-64-year old), in order to secure economic growth potential.

20 Long-term care f, g Coverage Source of funds Qualifying conditions Modes of institutional care for older people Care and services for the elderly can be divided in Finland, roughly speaking, into three different areas: 1) policies supporting elderly people still living at home, at-home-care, 2) policies supporting families participating in elderly care and 3) institutional care. Finland has no separate legislation on social welfare and health services for older people. In other words, their rights to services are prescribed in the general national legislation and in observance of international agreements. The municipality is responsible for providing all of its residents with social welfare and health services in Finland. The purpose of services for older people is to support elderly people in their daily life, to improve their preconditions for social integration and to ensure the necessary care. During the 1990s there has been a shift in emphasis towards increasing noninstitutional services and at-home-care of the elderly and decreasing institutional care. At the same time, non-institutional services have been targeted to those who need them most. The care given has been made more individual and rehabilitative in nature. About 90 per cent of services for older people are provided by the public sector (government, municipalities). The proportion of social services purchased from private service-providers is on the rise. See above Coverage The modes of institutional care for older people include rehabilitative activities and the provision of care and board. Institutional care can involve care for part of the day, short-term care or long-term care. Statutory institutional care services include the institutional services provided in old people s homes, in the inpatient wards of municipal health centres and in specialised care units. In addition, longterm institutional care is given in various types of nursing homes and homes for disabled war veterans and veterans. NGOs and private enterprises also provide institutional care in old people s homes and private hospitals. Home help services and home nursing services work together in close collaboration. They provide assistance when the client, owing to illness or reduced functional capacity, needs help at home in order to cope with routine daily activities. In Finland there are also available so called support services for the elderly. Meals on wheels, day activities, transport services, escorting services, various emergency telephones and laundry services are examples of support services Policies supporting families participating in longterm care f, g During the 1990s the proportion of persons aged 75 yrs or more receiving institutional or at-home-care services has diminished gradually. Especially the proportion of the elderly in institutional care has decreased, due to the policy of increasing at-home-care. However, municipalities have not been able to cover the increased need for at-home-care services. Currently, about 8 percent of persons aged 75 or more live in institutions (old age home or hospital), and 75 percent live at home, without any regular services. In Finland, also family members are an important source of support and assistance for older people. The municipality may also arrange various social and health services to back up this care. Any policies/subsidies supporting families participating in elderly care? Coverage Family caregivers allowance. Relatives - a spouse, partner or are entitled to a family caregivers allowance from the municipality. Care can also be given by a person who is not a family member.